Internet vigilantism

[Hugabear]

http://xboxmoron.wikidot.com/

For those of you who haven't heard the story, here it is in a nutshell. Some kid broke into a guy's house, stole his laptop computer, TV, and Xbox 360. Later on, the thief proceeds to leave the victim a taunting voice mail on the guy's Xbox Live account. Turns out the thief used his own personal account to leave the voice mail from. Not a smart move.

The victim then uses the thief's Xbox Live account to track down an amazing amount of personal info about the kid, which he then publishes online. The info includes not only the kid's real name, but also his phone number, home address (complete with Google Maps street view), parents' names, girlfriend's name, etc.

As is usually the case with the internet, this info has spread very quickly. Sure, this kid was an idiot and a thief, and he deserves some form of punishment. But I also think that thanks to the reckless attitude of the victim, this kid could very well be in danger.

[TooBigaTent]

1. In the land of no consequences, greatly enhanced by George and his cabal, this

will become more common.

When there are no consequences for any actions, there are no limits.

The free-for-all is on. It is up to each side to decide if they want to take advantage of the situation. We know they will. If we do not...

Information IS out there, and cannot really be protected. The only real solution is for there to be serious penalties for misuse. This applies to all electronic data.

[aikoaiko]

2. As long as the theft victim broke no laws in acquiring the info or advocated any laws broken...

...and of course, the information has to be correct, then no problem.


What danger are you talking about?

[Hugabear]

3. There have already been threats

I was reading through some of the YouTube comments, and came across this post:

<snip>
Dude, I just saw your address.

I'm on shore leave in Philadelphia. I ain't in the bloody Army or Marines, but I've been enough brawls to mess people up good.

I'll see you around, kiddo.
<snip>

http://www.youtube.com/profile_comment_all?user=KINGSIKE11&page=7

All it would take is for one vigilante to decide to teach this kid some "street justice". Does this kid deserve to get assaulted or even worse for what he did?

[aikoaiko]

5. No, but if the theft victim is not advocating for violence, then its not really his responsibilty

The theft victim is identifying someone who did him wrong and there's nothing wrong with that.

The thief should probably do a lot to make amends.

[Lars39]

4. He's 16...is this child endangerment?

Harassment?

[-..__...]

6. "Life is tough.....it's tougher if you're stupid."

:nopity:

Sounds like the kid got p0wNed big time and (hopefully), learned a lesson from it.

[hwmnbn]

7. Not only did this "16 y.o. kid" ....

break into the guy's house and steal his stuff, the little shit had the balls to taunt him about it afterwards. Like he wasn't satisfied just to be a thief, he had to be a smart-ass too.

Stealing a laptop is potentially very serious given the amount of personal info that could be stored. My guess without reading the article is that the authorities were notified and charges were brought against the thief.

In any event it sounds like if this "kid" keeps up this behaviour, he'll receive a serious ass-whippin' somewhere down the line. Karmic payback.

[Toasterlad]

8. I Tend To Feel Sorrier For People Who DON'T Bring Their Problems On Themselves.

[lumberjack_jeff]

9. In danger of what? Someone breaking into his house and stealing "his" X-box?

My compassion source must be nearing empty.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

10. The right thing to do would be to use the info to get the POLICE to nail the thief.

If anything, this "vigilantism" REDUCED the chances of the culprit getting caught.

[-..__...]

12. Do you really belive...

that the police (Philadelphia), would pursue this beyond filing the report?

Or even if they did investigate it, going beyond the kid's statement "that it was somebody else" or that he "didn't have the goods"?

[EOTE]

13. He tried that, it didn't work.

So he's using legal means to try and get justice. I have no sympathy for that criminal asshole.

[lumberjack_jeff]

11. UPDATE: The caller bought it from the thief for $200

http://blog.mcfearsome.com/2008/03/22/wow-your-a-moron/